Jamar Evans sentenced in deadly 2007 shooting

MEDIA COURTHOUSE -- As soulful sobbing echoed through the courtroom from the victim's relatives, a judge Tuesday told Jamar Evans that when he pulled the trigger and snuffed out the life of another youth in a senseless street shooting, he was "horrendously wrong."

Judge Ann Osborne sentenced Evans, 18, of Chester to nine to 20 years in jail, to be followed by eight years of probation, in the Nov. 25, 2007, fatal shooting in Chester Township. Marcus Reason, 19, was gunned down by Evans, who opened fire from a car.

Osborne said she wished that something she could do would help ease the pain for the family, whose hopes and dreams for Reason were crushed in that instant.

"He's not here because of a horrible decision made by another individual," said the judge.

Advertisement

The car, in which Evans was a passenger and from where the fatal shot was fired, was driven by his cousin, Tyreke Evans, a standout basketball player this past season for the University of Memphis. He was also a star at the now-defunct American Christian School.

Tyreke Evans was not charged in connection with the case and had been expected to testify in his cousin's behalf, but has not been present during any of the county court proceedings.

Last April, Osborne listened to heart-wrenching testimony from Reason's relatives, including his sister and mother. They sat convulsed in tears Tuesday as the judge was rendering her sentence.

During the earlier hearing, emotions spilled over into an altercation outside the courthouse, so security was tightened for Tuesday's brief hearing.

Prior to the victim's family coming into the courtroom, Deputy Sheriff Gregory Price cautioned Jamar Evans' relatives, who filled close to four rows, to keep their emotions in check. Several security dogs -- part of the sheriff's K-9 corps -- were also stationed nearby.

A handcuffed Evans, dressed in a red prison suit, walked briskly into the courtroom, smiling and waving to his relatives.

Reason's family came in shortly before Osborne took the bench and from the moment they made their entrance, wailing from several members, including the victim's mother, Tawana Reason, punctuated the usually quiet courtroom.

During the April hearing, the grief-stricken mother was barely able to talk through sobs as she told how she has lost weight and has no desire to eat because of the shooting death of her youngest son.

"The impact on all of us has been crushing," said the grieving mother. She wailed as she said her 3-year-old grandchild stands outside her son's bedroom, begging him to come out to play.

"His brothers and sisters sob daily for the brother that they loved and so miss," said the mother. "My grandchildren, his nieces and nephews, who are too young to understand this tragedy, ask every day where their Uncle Markie is and why he won't come to play with them as he always did."

She told the judge it was Evans who came into their Chester Township neighborhood with the gun blazing and snuffed out her son's life.

Evans pleaded guilty last January to third-degree murder and gun charges in Reason's death.

The victim's father had also made an impassioned plea to the judge during the earlier proceedings.

"I am here because I -- we all lost a special son -- a son who wasn't from the streets, but who was taken from me by the streets," said the father in a controlled voice.

He described his son as working two jobs and decried the "means streets" that claimed his life.

"I have been here in the courtroom from day 1, and though this goes against the way my parents brought me up ... I, the father of Marcus Reason, will never forget and I will never forgive."

The victim was unarmed, according to testimony presented by Assistant District Attorney Michael Donohue. Donohue declined comment on the sentence.

Defense attorney Tracie Burns said her client will be under court supervision for 28 years and described Osborne's sentence as one that was rendered with "careful and thoughtful consideration."

However, it was obvious Reason's family believed Evans should have received a higher degree of guilt and stiffer punishment for his crime.

"They've got a moral victory. They were smiling," said Dan Rivera, a brother-in-law of Reason. "(Evans) should be serving life in jail."

Rivera said even if Evans serves the entire two decades behind bars, he'll still be able to walk around free when he gets out. "Marcus isn't ever coming back. At the end of the day, they've come out winners."

He also lamented that Tyreke Evans was not facing any charges as the driver.

Tyreke Evans has been in the news because he is leaving the University of Memphis to enter the upcoming NBA draft.

Jamar Evans' sister, Timika Evans, 28, cried while on the stand in April as she asked for leniency for her brother. She stated that when (Jamar) gets out of jail, he will be living with Tyreke.

The defendant had also addressed the court. He expressed sorrow to the victim's family and thanked his own family for "hanging in there for me."

"I can't take it back," Evans said during the April hearing. "I have learned a lesson about making bad decisions. I am sorry. I will make you proud."